Sears sells iconic Craftsman brand for $900 million

The deal gives Stanley Black & Decker the right to sell Craftsman products, which include tools and lawn equipment, at stores other than Sears.

Shares of Sears rose by as much as 7% in premarket trading Thursday.

According to the agreement, Sears will get a cash payment of $525 million at closing and another $250 million after three years. Sears will also get annual payments of between 2.5% and 3.5% on new Stanley Black & Decker sales of Craftsman products for 15 years.

Sears will continue to sell Craftsman-branded products in its Sears, Kmart, and Sears Hometown stores, as well.

The deal provides Sears with a much-needed infusion of cash and ongoing payments as it grapples with ballooning debt and falling sales.

The company said Thursday that same-store sales at Sears and Kmart stores fell in the range of 12% to 13% in November and December, which are the first two months of the company’s fiscal fourth quarter.

In the third quarter, Sears’ revenue fell by 13%, to $5 billion, and losses widened to $748 million from $454 million in the period last year. The company said Thursday

Sears CEO Eddie Lampert has been loaning the company money to keep it afloat.

Over the past two years, Lampert and his hedge fund, ESL Investments, have loaned Sears nearly $2 billion to keep the business in operation, including a $500 million loan announced Wednesday.

“Craftsman has a storied history as an iconic American brand, and in Stanley Black & Decker we have found a great owner that is committed to expanding Craftsman and helping it to reach its potential outside of its current channels,” Lampert said in a statement. “Looking ahead, we will continue to take actions to adjust our capital structure, meet our financial obligations and manage our business to better position Sears Holdings to create long-term value by focusing on our best members, our best stores, and our best categories.”